Sheffield United could face potential transfer blow - Championship & European clubs eyeing Bramall Lane raid | OneFootball

A number of clubs have reportedly set their sights on Sheffield United's Jairo Riedewald, with the Dutchman's short-term deal soon to expire

Sheffield United are facing a fresh battle to retain the services of Jairo Riedewald, who has emerged as a reported transfer target for a number of sides in the Championship and across Europe following an impressive start to life in South Yorkshire.

According to a report published by Football Insider on Sunday, the 29-year-old has earned no shortage of suitors ahead of the expiration of his short-term deal at Bramall Lane, which is presently set to end in the middle of January.

Former Crystal Palace midfielder Riedewald returned to English football just last month by signing for United following Chris Wilder's swift return to the club, having spent the 2024/25 campaign over in Belgium with Royal Antwerp after his release from the Eagles.

Riedewald has impressed during his time in the red-and-white quarters of the Steel City to date, helping the Blades' upturn in form - having endured a wretched start to the season under Ruben Selles.

Indeed, the Dutchman has won five of his eight matches for United, with Wilder's side currently enjoying a three-game winning streak with victories over rivals Sheffield Wednesday, Portsmouth and most recently Leicester City.

Riedewald opened his account in red-and-white in Saturday afternoon's 3-2 win over the Foxes, and his performances appear to have put suitors on red alert as we edge closer to the January transfer window.

Championship, European clubs eyeing up Sheffield United's Jairo Riedewald

As per the aforementioned report, a number of outfits are eyeing up a swoop for the Ajax academy product.

For the time being, at least, it remains unclear exactly who those clubs are, but Riedewald's name carries pedigree — and three senior international caps for the Netherlands — meaning interest from the continent in particular is perhaps no real surprise.

Meanwhile, clubs across the Championship have been able to take a close look at Riedewald amid Sheffield United's turn in fortunes of late, and one must wonder whether top-bracket outfits with tangible designs of achieving promotion will be setting their sights on the sought-after Blades midfield man.

The report adds that United are eager to extend his stay with the club, but they are now facing "stiff competition" and United's ability to retain Riedewald looks poised to be tested in the weeks to come.

Losing Riedewald would, of course, represent a sizeable blow for United, who would potentially have to re-enter the transfer market to source a replacement. The midfielder has kept loanee Djibiril Soumare out of Wilder's side in recent times, and the Blades' options in the middle of the park remain somewhat light with the likes of Ollie Arblaster and Tom Davies stuck to the sidelines with injuries.

Sheffield United must act quickly with Jairo Riedewald amid mounting transfer interest

Given just how clear it is that Sheffield United would like to keep Riedewald at the club beyond January, it's imperative that the Blades attempt to take action on his future sooner rather than later by putting the offer of a longer-term contract on the table.

He has, after all, earned the right to stay on with United, who have hugely benefited from his free transfer capture, and seeing Riedewald turning out for a divisional rival in the second-half of the current campaign would represent a bitter pill to swallow for all at Bramall Lane.

Whether Riedewald himself would accept the offer of an extended contract amid mounting, and potentially more appealing interest, in his signature only remains to be seen at this moment in time, but either way, the Blades need to put forward that proposal if they intend on keeping him for the season's full duration and beyond.